Australians love mid-sized SUVs.

The place as soon as upon a time maintaining with the Joneses was about which Commodore or Falcon was within the driveway, in 2023 it’s about whether or not you went for a RAV4, CR-V, or Outlander.

Producers have taken discover, and there’s a wealth of choices in Australia in 2022.

We’ve used VFACTS knowledge, compiled by the height physique for carmakers in Australia, to place collectively the next record of choices – with one caveat.

The Tesla Mannequin Y is charging up the gross sales charts, and we imagine it represents a really actual different to the automobiles listed beneath. With that in thoughts, it’s been added to the record.

Extra of those tales are coming for different classes and worth factors, so don’t fear in case your most well-liked automobile isn’t on this record.

Listed here are our picks.

Anthony Crawford: Honda ZR-V

No marvel mid-sized SUVs make up the largest promoting phase in Australia by an enormous margin – there’s a lot expertise on provide.

On the high of my purchasing record are the Cupra Formentor and Honda’s ZR-V e:HEV, with just about equal billing.

The Cupra is the decidedly sporty choice with head-turning styling, nice colors, and sharp dealing with, particularly in value-for-money VZ spec.

However it’s the Honda that will get my cash, however solely within the top-spec e:HEV LX trim. The additional oomph from the hybrid powertrain eliminates any low-down lag, so it feels peppy round city and splendidly gasoline environment friendly on the similar time.

The chassis is solely excellent, which interprets into wonderful trip and dealing with attributes – and thus it’s nonetheless extremely ranked on the fun-to-drive metre.

I like the styling, but it surely’s the standard of the supplies, match and end inside, in addition to intelligent house packaging that make this SUV such a fascinating and full bundle to me.

Scott Collie: Volkswagen Tiguan

The Volkswagen Tiguan is ready to get replaced quickly, however it will nonetheless be my choose.

The Tiguan Allspace Journey, with its large boot, highly effective engine, easy inside, and small wheels would go well with me completely. The very fact you get snow chains thrown in without spending a dime is a win.

With longer rear doorways, extra rear legroom, and a much bigger boot than the common mannequin, it ticks a whole lot of bins for those who’re on the lookout for a household automobile however don’t want seven seats – or if you would like to have the ability to take your mates to the snow in consolation.

MORE: Volkswagen Tiguan new automobile offers

Alborz Fallah: Cupra Formentor

I might purchase a Cupra Formentor merely due to its uniqueness.

It has some quirks, just like the air-con system controls not lighting up at evening however aside from that, it’s a extremely handsome automobile (child Urus?) and drives nearly as good because it appears.

You would possibly get sick of individuals asking you what it’s, although. I had one for a short while and one man requested me if it was a physique equipment on an Urus…

MORE: Cupra Formentor new automobile offers

Jade Credentino: Volkswagen Tiguan

There can be a few automobiles I may’ve picked, however I’d become bored with them pretty rapidly… whereas the Volkswagen Tiguan R would fulfill me.

It combines efficiency with practicality, though the worth jumps into the luxurious automobile phase.

I had the prospect to check drive one final 12 months and it ticked a number of bins that different automobiles throughout the phase weren’t capable of.

I’m very eager for the brand new mannequin to return by means of within the coming 12-24 months to see how Volkswagen can enhance an already well-rounded SUV.

Jack Fast: Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage nonetheless stands out to me as a mid-sized SUV I’d really purchase.

I’ve skilled a number of flavours of the current-generation Sportage up to now and assume I’d go for both an SX+ or GT-Line with the turbo-diesel engine.

The two.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine packs a punch and is extraordinarily clean, which enhances the Sportage’s high-tech inside. It’s price mentioning there’s extra space than ever, thanks partly to the longer wheelbase on the brand new mannequin.

Paul Maric: Tesla Mannequin Y

I’d purchase a Tesla Mannequin Y.

It’s arguably one of the crucial boring automobiles out of all these listed, but it surely’s an absolute discount when you think about what you get for the cash on the entry degree.

Storage is finest in phase, tech is finest in phase, and also you get electrical automobile know-how, which at present calls for a big premium. The opposite upshot is the extent of subsidies accessible throughout most states (besides Victoria, which has killed its EV subsidy and is at present passing the hat round to assist pay its payments).

Some would argue the entry-level mannequin doesn’t have the vary they want compared to an inner combustion engine automobile, however for many Australians it’s superb.

We’re at a crossroads, although. Regardless of document ranges of renewable power within the system, electrical energy costs are skyrocketing – so it will not be the correct time to purchase an EV for those who’re on the grid with out photo voltaic and are shopping for solely to save cash on gasoline.

James Wong: Nissan X-Path

Whereas the Cupra Formentor would probably be the favorite for my bachelor way of life, I really feel that many shopping for on this phase have one or two youngsters to think about.

Again within the day my dad and mom moved from a Mitsubishi Galant to a 2000 Honda CR-V when my brother was born, which ultimately turned my first automobile.

I don’t assume the most recent CR-V does it for household man JWo in 2023, however the Nissan X-Path e-Energy with e-4orce would – supplied I didn’t need to say its full identify always.

Whereas not fairly as environment friendly as its RAV4 Hybrid equal, the X-Path e-Energy with twin e-motors is highly effective, refined, and in top-spec Ti-L trim impressively plush for a mainstream automobile.

Sadly we don’t get a seven-seat choice in Australia as but, however the X-Path has loads of house for a rising household, with sufficient luxuries besides.

Maybe when the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Kia Sportage Hybrid launch in Australia, I could discover it a bit tougher to decide on…

William Stopford: Cupra Formentor

The mid-sized SUV phase is usually accused of being boring, however there are a number of choices that attraction to me: the Nissan X-Path e-Energy is parsimonious and refined, whereas the smaller Mazda CX-5 G35 is punchy and fulfilling to drive.

Seeing as I don’t have youngsters but, nevertheless, outright house isn’t as essential as driving dynamics. Subsequently, I really feel compelled to choose the mid-sized SUV that feels the least like a mid-sized SUV: the Cupra Formentor.

I really forgot this was even categorised as a mid-sizer by VFACTS as a result of whereas it’s not cramped, it’s no Haval H6 inside. However the place it appeals probably the most is in its dynamics and its styling, that are extra like a Cupra Leon than another SUV at this finish of the market. The inside is fashionable too, if not with out its share of annoyances.

I’ve solely pushed the VZx to date however I liked each minute of it. I might be tempted by the opposite variants, nevertheless.